SWEET POTATO SOUP
Same as pumpkin soup, just replace the pumpkin with sweet potato

CREAMY BAYLEYS MUSHROOM SOUP
Use low heat to saute mushroom in little olive oil.
When the liquid is released from the mushroom, add Bayleys and cream / oat.
Transfer the mushroom into a pot of boiled meat / ribs.
Bring to boil. Add milk.
Add pepper to taste.

More ideas …
barley soup
pear soup
add carrot to sweeten to soup

Tips:
for your safety, use bottle brush to wash to prevent the blades from accidentally cutting any of your finger.

If I have to work every single day of weekdays,
for each weekend,
I plan to prepare 1-2 fruit puree & 1-2 vegetable puree.
Then,
I feed few portions to my baby immediately,
and freeze the rest.

My preferred puree:
must be nutritious.
must be easy & quick to prepare.

Follow the 4 day wait rule when introducing a new food to baby – offer your baby the same new food for 4 days to test for allergies to that food.
This applies even when you are making homemade baby food. Never introduce more than 1 new food at a time when first beginning solid foods.

For babies of 6-8 months, steam the fruit if possible.
Why? for easier digestion.
Note: Do not cook banana, avocado.

Steam first then blend, instead of blend first then steam.
Cook the food, let it cool a bit, toss it into a blender or food processor and puree away.
General directions:
# PEEL, core and CUT hard fruit (e.g. apple, pear) into slices/chunks
# STEAMing is better than boiling. Steam for 5-10 minutes / until soft. Alternatively, you can bake http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/bakebabyfruits.htm
or blanch. I prefer steaming.
# MASH : use blender.
For soft food, e.g. banana / avocado / kiwi, use fork to mash.

@~@ MANGO PUREE
Vitamins: A (1262 IU in one cup.), C, E, K, Folate
Minerals: Potassium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Calcium, Sodium
Steam? YES
Comment: I will introduce mango puree later due to its acidity.
May be gritty/watery when thawed – best frozen in chunks [raw or cooked]

@~@ PAPAYA PUREE
Vitamins: A, C, Folate
Minerals: Potassium, Calcium
must ensure that the papaya is fully ripened
Steam? YES
We can also mix papaya into chicken and rice for a tropical chicken dinner.Freezes well, may be gritty/watery when thawed -freeze in chunks [raw or cooked].

My first son tried pumpkin puree when he turned 8 months old and loved it.

Here are vegetable puree that I carefully choose for my baby:

@~@ ASPARAGUS PUREE
1. remove the woody stems by bending each spear until it snaps – it should snap at the point where the fresh green tip ends and the tougher part begins.
2. steam
3. mash
Freezes well but may be watery when thawed – best frozen in pieces.

@~@ BROCCOLI PUREE
Vitamins: A (4533 IU), C, E, K, Niacin, Folate
Minerals: Potassium, Sodium, Selenium, Phosphorous, Iron, Magnesium, Calcium
wash, then boil, steam or microwave the florets.
Do not feed the stems because they give some babies gas!
Freezes well but may be watery when thawed – best frozen in pieces.

@~@ CARROT PUREE
Vitamins: A (19,152 IU), C, Folate
Minerals: Potassium, Sodium, Phosphorous, Iron, Magnesium, Calcium
Choose large, older carrots – these are actually richer in nutrients than baby carrots.
Freeze well.
TIPS: Do not reserve any left over water to use for thinning out the carrots if baby is under 8 months old as Nitrates may seep into the cooking water.

@~@ SPINACH PUREE
Tips: Do not use cooking water to puree.
Spinach puree MUST be immediately eaten, frozen or stored in the refrigerator. Studies done on spinach and nitrates in particular have shown that with improper storage and preparation, the nitrate levels may actually increase.

Although I am not anti ready-made puree,
I may buy them and feed my baby them,
especially for traveling
when I have little / no access to warmer,
but I prefer to prepare home-made puree,
because it is fresher and has less artificial.

Blended brown rice / white rice + breast milk / formula + any of / combination of : ikan bilis / anchovies + ginseng + lotus seed + prune.
Since these require daily preparation,
if I really have no time in the future as I must go out to earn $ for our family,
I may consider any of these :
# Nestle Cerelac.
# Moon Rabbit Brand Si Sen Brown Rice Powder.

How to freeze home-made puree?

# Let the steamed puree cool down first before freezing.

# Use ice-cube trays with lids.
I think the ice cube tray with lid is a good investment,
we can use it to make fruit puree cubes to be added to yoghurt. To retain the freshness, some people use cling film to go round the ice cube trays to seal out odors (especially if you keep uncooked meat in the freezer); but I do not prefer this method because the plastic may stick to the puree.

# Use Avent cups. Fill in < 100 ml, so we can top up with cereal / breast milk / formula / water. For feeding, can warm the cups with bottle warmer.

# Use cleaned glass bottles* from EYS Chicken Essence / bird nest.

Of course, if I can afford the time to prepare puree daily, I no need to freeze.
I can eat the remaining puree that my baby cannot finish daily.

*Glass that is not specifically manufactured for freezing has the unfortunate ability to crack, leave behind tiny, microscopic shards and fragments and also is prone to bursting.
Baby food jars (e.g. Gerber, Heinz) are not manufactured for freezing or for extreme heating.

How long can frozen baby puree last?
3 months just like breast milk.
But consuming within 1 month is the best for the sake of nutrient retention.